Easter school holidays 2021: dates pupils break up across the UK, when they go back - and lockdown rules

Easter is just around the corner, which means schools across the UK will be breaking up for the school holidays.

But when will pupils begin their school holidays and how long are the breaks over the Easter period? Here’s what you need to know.

When are the Easter school holidays 2021?

In England, schools will generally break up on Thursday 1 April until Friday 16 April, with pupils returning on Monday 19 April.

Schools in Wales will generally break up for the Easter holidays on Monday 29 March and finish on Friday 9 April, with pupils returning on Monday 12 April.

However, school dates may vary depending on where you live in England or Wales. You can check school holiday dates on your local council website by entering your postcode into the checker.

In Scotland, schools will generally break up on Thursday 1 April, with pupils returning on Monday 19 April.

Again, school term and holiday dates vary across Scotland, but you can find your child's school term, half term and holiday dates on your local council's website.

In Northern Ireland, schools will break up for the Easter holidays on Thursday 1 April and finish on Friday 9 April, with students returning on Monday 12 April.

When is Easter 2021?

Easter weekend will fall earlier this year than last year, with dates changing each year.

The date of Easter Sunday, and therefore Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Monday, vary each year due to Easter always falling on the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical full moon that follows the spring equinox.

The spring equinox always takes place on 21 March, and this year, the first full moon after 21 March is Sunday 28 March, therefore Easter Sunday lands on Sunday 4 April this year.

These rules mean that the earliest possible date that Easter Sunday can land on is 22 March, with this last happening in 1818.

These are the dates for Easter weekend 2021:

- Good Friday (bank holiday) - 2 April

- Holy Saturday - 3 April

- Easter Sunday - 4 April

- Easter Monday (bank holiday) - 5 April

What lockdown rules will have eased by Easter?

In England, rules will begin to ease from 29 March, with the ‘rule of 6’ allowed outside, including in private gardens’ from this date.

This means up to six people from different households or a group of any size from up to two households can meet outdoors.

Formally organised outdoor sports with any number of people, childcare and supervised activities outdoors for all children, and formally organised parent and child groups outdoors for up to 15 attendees are also all allowed from 29 March.

In Scotland, communal worship will resume from Friday 26 March, with up to 50 people able to attend if the place of worship is large enough to facilitate 2m social distancing.

The Stay at Home order is set to be lifted on 2 April, instead being replaced by a Stay Local message.

On 5 April, hairdressers and barbers will also be able to reopen.

In Wales, the stay local restrictions were lifted on 27 March, with self-contained accommodation now able to reopen and outdoor children’s activities allowed to take place.

Six people from two households can now meet outdoors, provided they are socially distanced.

In Northern Ireland, up to six people from no more than two households will be able to meet outdoors in a private garden from 1 April. Up to ten people from no more than two households will also be allowed to participate in outdoor sporting activities.